The Carpenter’s Tool

The Carpenter’s Tool was born in 2016 out of a desire to free ourselves from the daily grind that many of us find ourselves in. We wanted a space where we could branch out and use our passion for the trades and for helping others in our everyday life. Currently our business is small. It’s a father-daughter duo, with Matthew completing the jobs and Kelly handling the office side of the job and so far we are loving it! We are striving to provide quality services and to build a lasting, trusting relationships with our clients. We ultimately want to be the local handyman that you call to fix the broken mailbox, to install the tv mount, or to help turn your vision of a new kitchen into a reality. We hope you give us the opportunity to assist you with whatever projects- big or small- that you have!

Hi, I’m Matthew. I’ve been performing home repair, design, and construction since 1988. I’ve always been fascinated by the trades. Seeing craftsmen or an artisan take raw, bare material and create something of beauty, form, or function. That intrigue drove me to explore what it meant to be a craftsman, how did they start, develop and grow. Later I realized that while the value of being a craftsmen might be misunderstood, they would always be able to support themselves. The job, scenery, and pay rate might change but those skills will always be useful. Each artisan has a preferred medium they like to use. The medium isn’t as important as their capability. Skills are transferrable, expandable and valuable. My first interest was metal, I have a degree in Machining, worked as a Machinist and toolmaker for many years. My medium of choice is wood and building materials. Machining called for many of the skills I use in construction. My attention to small details is something I took for granted for many years. One day I discovered that many people only focus on getting the job done. They don’t ask, Does it work? Does it look pleasing to the eye? Is this the best course of action? I do consider those questions and many more. I consider myself a partner with that project and strive to do the best with what I have and the parameters I have to work within.

Our Services

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Most property owners also have free standing garages, garden sheds, swing sets, children’s play areas, and hard scape items. These items are often overlooked until something fails. With proper maintenance, a small investment today reduces or eliminates a costly expense later. I partner with you to service your entire property.

UPDATES

I know that feature or color was really in style…10,15,20 years ago. Avocado green anyone? Updating allows a homeowner to have the latest features, colors and styles without moving. Updates can seem overwhelming and not worth the effort. They will require change, patience, and stamina but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Having a plan established before beginning an update removes many of the unknowns and unreal expectations. I can help walk you thru the process of planing, reviewing expectations at each phase, providing consistent updates and answering the many questions a home owner will have.

RESTORATION

Water, sun and wind, over time will cause damage to a variety of materials. If the damage is addressed before system failure. The costs of returning the structure or component to pre-damage condition is drastically reduced. Having a maintenance program that addresses small problems early is a great way to preserve your house and property.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation!

Our Work

Updated Barn

A client had a wooden barn that was starting to fall apart and they wanted an upgrade. So we removed the wood panels and installed new metal ones.

Restored Bench

A client had an old gardening work bench that was beginning to deteriorate. She wanted a new look, but wanted to keep the old style. We replaced the old 2×4’s and secured all the screws offering her a sturdier workspace.

Garage to Salon

This client had a garage that they wanted to convert to a hair salon so they could work from home. We went ahead and put the drywall, floors, doors and window in to give this space a whole new look. To complete the salon, we went ahead and painted the walls and trim to give this space a clean, modern look.